Category Archives: Chapter

Anytime I sit and talk with my sister in law Denise, our conversation is more than just idle chit chat. We always speak of deep and sometimes painful thoughts. Tonight was no exception, but tonight was one of our toughest … Continue reading →

I think that no matter how old, we never quit learning. Sometimes the things we find out about ourselves or about life hit us square in the face, unexpectedly. I call these Ah-Ha moments. In the past month I have … Continue reading →

I’ve been a bit uptight lately, anticipating a week long Thanksgiving visit from Doug. I journeyed Saturday to his group home up in Marion, N.C. My car has not been running well so I asked a friend if I could … Continue reading →

Doug has an odd way of thinking (to say the least) and sometimes it’s hard to figure out where he comes up with some of the things he says. I had planned on going to visit him one week-end in … Continue reading →

Doug’s 33rd birthday was Monday, July 18th. As he does every year he began reminding me three months in an advance that he has a birthday coming up. Every evening phone call since sometime in April has ended with , … Continue reading →

I suppose it’s the same with many families, that humor is used as a coping mechanism during unbearably sad times. I’m only supposing this because I am not part of many families. Only my own. My father was the master … Continue reading →

When I was young, perhaps around 12 or so, I remember riding in the car with mom and dad. Mom pointed out a house to dad and mentioned that the trial was over. As I sat in the back seat … Continue reading →

After the bullies had moved out of our neighborhood it seemed that Doug’s life became a lot easier. He was enjoying the time he spent after school at the Boys and Girls Club. There was a young volunteer coach that … Continue reading →

For many years Doug has not been able to spend the holidays with me. Every other year we travel to Iowa to visit family. Taking Doug out of the state, away from his doctors, is something that I cannot handle. … Continue reading →

Developmentally Doug was behind most the kids his age. Potty training was near impossible. He never could figure out how to jump rope. He was clumsy and unsure of himself through elementary school. Socially he never could figure out how … Continue reading →